Information sharing on the best uses of digital health to improve the health status of populations is a key focus of a Joint Declaration of Intent on Bilateral Health Cooperation signed by the Australian Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Indigenous Health, Ken Wyatt and the German Minister for Health, Hermann Grohe, during the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting in Berlin.

Representing the Australian government at the first ever G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting, Minister Wyatt said that Australia and Germany share many similar challenges, in particular the increasing health care costs driven by increase prevalence of non-communicable diseases and an increasingly ageing population.

“In particular we are interested in sharing information about digital health.

“Australia is a world leader in digital health. Our vision is a national digital health capability that improves the lives of all Australians by supporting the efficient delivery of healthcare.

“I know that the Australian Digital Health Agency and Department of Health are holding regular discussions on domestic digital health policy with Germany. Germany and Australia both have much to gain from sharing their collective expertise in digital health.”

Minister Wyatt said Australia and Germany both enjoy strong health systems and share a commitment to advancing their respective digital health capabilities.

In another bilateral meeting overnight in Berlin, Minister Wyatt met with the Indian Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, on the new Australia-India Memorandum of Understanding on health cooperation.

“These discussions follow on from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s recent visit to India during which dialogue on health issues was a focus,” Minister Wyatt said.

“The two Prime Ministers were pleased to build on longstanding collaboration in the health sector through an MOU and committed to continue cooperation in this field.

"My discussions today with Minister Nadda were about ways of cooperatively improving the health status of both countries through concerted policy action in all sectors with a focus on quality health care."